The Russellville Democrat., 1887-04-13
REPRESENTATIVE SHELLEY
Gives Expression to his Views
Anent the Last Legislature.

| a reporter of the DEMOCRAT meeting
| Mr.. Sibley on his way to Dardanelle
last week piled him with few ques-
tons concerning the personnel OF the
! recent legislature and the labors Of that
/ body. He WAS beaming with good ma
ture ana quite communicative as the
following interesting interview will
show:
What do you think of the legislature,
Mr.. Sibley?
"The legislature in the main was
made up of sober, intelligent men. 1t
was said that few were a little
"cranky," and some consumed great
deal of time unnecessarily in speech
making"
What do You think of the results of
their labors?
'In my judgement there were great
many good wholesome laws enacted
and some that did not favor, but they
may be good nevertheless.
Mention those you believe to be In
the interest Of the people?
"Well, changing the time of giving
in assessments from February to June
is one, and directly in the interest of
the farmer. Others are: reducing fares
on railroads, taxing palace sleeping
| cars, the bill providing for the payment
of the state debit, the geological survey
bill. This bill believe Is generally
embossed by the people. Ii it accom-
plishes half its friends claim for it
There is millions in it." | think it
will bring to light much of the hidden
wealth of the State, and thereby bring
capital and immigration within our bor-
ders. The bill to provide for the col
lection of overdue taxes from corpora
tons doing business in this state, the
free pass bill, and many others | might
mention"
The senate sat down on number Of
house bills?
Eyes, some of which | thought were
very important. The Baleh railroad
bin would have accomplished all that
the people desired on that line had it
become law. When the house was
convinced that the senate would not
pass bill with commission, they
passed the senate bill, known as the
Smith bill, it being the next best thing
TO do. The house bill reducing the ex-
penses of the general assembly, which
reduced the mileage, per diem aud COM
pensation OF the officers, the bill to pre-
vent unjust combinations, monopolies
or conspiracies in the cotton seed bus
mess, aud other good bills failed in the
senate"
What about the agricultural bureau
bill?
| The house agricultural bureau bill
| failed in the house. | could see but lit
| tie in il that would benefit the agricul-
/ tural classes and voted against il. The
senate bill was not much better, but as
| the people expected something of this
kiad | voted for It, 1t was defeated by
the farmers in the house"
/ You failed TO pass road law.
"We passed bin la the house that
think would have given us cool roads,
and the burden would have fallen equal
/ ly upon all citizens, but like many 9TH
or good bills was defeated ia the SEN
ate. -
What about extending the session.
at was a necessity, otherwise we
would have been called together by the
governor at an additional expense to
the state"
The Legislature Is harshly criticised
by some Of the state papers?
eyes, this is always the case just af-
ter the adjournment Of every session.
but when the laws enacted goes into
operation aud the people become famil.
\ lar with them. they will be satisfied
and give the legislature credit for hay-
ing enacted great many good laws. v